Mariners May Lose Naylor, Suárez, Polanco

The Seattle Mariners fell short of their first World Series after losing Game 7 of the ALCS to the Toronto Blue Jays, capping a season fueled by aggressive deadline moves. Three deadline pickups — Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco — are unrestricted free agents this winter, and the front office must decide how much of the roster to retain. Naylor is Seattle’s top re-signing priority but industry projections say he could draw near-$95–$100 million offers that rival clubs might outbid. Suárez enjoyed a strong overall season before the trade but is widely expected to prefer a more hitter-friendly home given his age and T-Mobile Park’s conditions. Polanco’s October resurgence presents a qualifying-offer dilemma — the QO is projected at about $22 million and Seattle may be reluctant to guarantee that to a 32-year-old with knee and defensive concerns. Observers warn that significant offseason defections, similar to the post-1992 Pittsburgh Pirates exodus, could undercut the Mariners’ momentum.